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A Spine Robotic-Assisted Navigation System for Pedicle Screw Placement
Published on: May 11, 2020
Pedicle Screw Surgery in the UK and Ireland: A Questionnaire Study
P S D Patel1, E M Aspinwall, A J Fennell
1School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
The Open Biomedical Engineering Journal
|November 3, 2011
Summary
High rates of pedicle screw (PS) malposition in spine surgery highlight the need for better tools. A survey revealed surgeon demand for a simple, reusable mechanical aid for PS placement, potentially improving surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Spine Surgery
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Pedicle screw (PS) malposition is a significant concern in spinal surgery.
- Current computed navigational aids are costly and have limited availability.
- A simple mechanical device could offer a more accessible solution for PS placement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the demand for a simple mechanical device to aid pedicle screw placement.
- To determine design criteria for such a device.
- To gather UK and Ireland spinal surgeons' opinions and experiences with PS surgery.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to 422 spinal surgeons in the UK and Ireland.
- Data was collected from 67 surgeons (16% response rate) with useful information.
- Analysis focused on reported problems, demand for aids, and preferred device characteristics.
Main Results:
- 78% of surgeons reported issues with PS placement.
- 59% expressed a need for a simple mechanical aid.
- Surgeons prefer reusable, one-piece, hand-held, radiolucent, unilateral devices using line-of-sight for open surgery.
Conclusions:
- Computed navigational aids are not widely adopted in PS surgery.
- A simple mechanical device is a viable alternative, with specific design preferences noted.
- This study provides data to guide the development of improved PS placement tools, enhancing spinal surgery outcomes.
